Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi Cancels Lowy Institute Lecture

Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi is “not feeling well” and has pulled out of delivering a keynote speech in Sydney tomorrow.

Her appearance, which was being hosted by the Lowy Institute, was set to be Ms Suu Kyi’s only public speaking arrangement while in Australia for the ASEAN summit.

She was also expected to take questions from the audience.

The event was likely to attract protests, similar to those seen at the weekend, over the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas are stranded in shocking conditions in Bangladesh after fleeing violence and destruction of their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Throughout her stay, Myanmar’s State Counsellor has come under heavy public and private criticism over the issue.

“This afternoon, the Lowy Institute was informed by the Myanmar Embassy that the State Counsellor will no longer be able to participate in this event as she is not feeling well. The event is now cancelled,” the Lowy Institute said in a statement.

Ms Suu Kyi was given full honours on a visit to Canberra today, where she held private talks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The ABC understands the two leaders discussed the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis.

Mr Turnbull encouraged Ms Suu Kyi to reach a resolution so the refugees could return to their homes.

He also made it clear Australia would be willing to keep aid money flowing to both Myanmar and Bangladesh to help resolve the emergency.